Pihea Trail
Hawaii hikers

**IMPORTANT PARK NOTICES**

⚠️Monitor weather reports and ocean conditions before your park visit. 

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[O’AHU] UPDATE 2/13/26 — Puʻu ʻUʻala Kaʻa State Wayside, Mauna Ala–Royal Mausoleum State Monument and Waʻahila Ridge State Recreation Area, and Keaīwa State Recreation Area has REOPENED.

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[MAUI] 2/13/26 - Kaumahina State Wayside is temporarily CLOSED until further notice.

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[KAUA‘I] UPDATE 2/11/26 — Kalalau Trail, Na Pali State Wilderness Park has REOPENED, Haʻena State Park shuttle has RESUMED.

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[MAUI] UPDATE 2/11/26 – ʻĪao Valley State Monument has REOPENED.

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[KAUAʻI, OʻAHU, HAWAIʻI] 2/10/26 – Wailua River State Park (Kauaʻi), Ahupuaʻa ʻO Kahana State Park (Oʻahu), Kealakekua Bay State Historical Park (Hawaiʻi): All commercial kayak operators must apply for a Rental Vessel Special Use Permit – Commercial Application, each kayak vessel requires a registered decal. Visit State Parks Permits page here and download and mail in the Rental Vessel Special Use Permit – Commercial Application.

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[O‘AHU] UPDATE 2/3/26 – KA‘ENA POINT STATE PARK, MOKULE‘IA SECTION: Vehicle access dirt road repairs are occurring to stabilize severe erosion, and armor problem areas with aggregate to reduce erosion and puddling, and improve road stability. 1/5/26 - Kaʻena Point Vehicle Access Permits available now: kaenasups.ehawaii.gov. All applicants must create a NEW account and apply as a new applicant.

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[ALL ISLANDS] UPDATE – 12/12/25: Camping - Reservations for February 1, 2026 and beyond available at https://explore.ehawaii.gov, please create an account on Explore Outdoor Hawaiʻi to make a camping reservation.

Pihea Trail

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    CAUTION: Deep mud at Pihea peak.
    Trail Length 3.8 miles (one way)
    Time Approx 3 hrs.
    Activity Pedestrian
    Difficulty Moderate
    Terrain None
    Elevation Gain 284 ft
    Park Name Kōkeʻe State Park

    Route

    The trail begins at Puu O Kila Lookout at the end of Highway 550. The Pihea Trail is a recommended forest reserve trail for scenic views, observing Kauai’s native forest birds and sampling the Alakai Wilderness’ terrain and vegetation. This is an alternate route to the Alakai Swamp Trail, which intersects the Pihea Trail just before 1 3/4 mile point. There is a short spur that ends at the Pihea Overlook, the highest point on the rim of Kalalau Valley.

    Caution – Do not go beyond the Pihea Overlook. The terrain gets very steep beyond this point. The Pihea Trail follows the northwestern bank of Kawaikoi Stream and ends at Kawaikoi Camp. While there is some boardwalk construction underway, portions of the trail are often wet, slippery and muddy.